Google acquires file sharing app Bump

According to a blog post from CEO and cofounder of Bump, David Lieb, the company has been acquired by Google. Bump, which failed to catch onto a large audience, will join forces with Google, but no timetable for the merger was given.

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Bump allows your device to “feel” a bump, allowing for file sharing much like we enjoy with NFC. The difference is that it only requires a bump, and access to your location, not so much a back-to-back pairing. Files can be shared between mobile devices, or even a computer (which is why location sharing is so important). Google hasn’t yet announced any plans for the functionality of Bump, but we wonder if it has to do with their strongly rumored smartwatch. Shake hands, exchange contact info or files — it sounds pretty sublime.

Bump also has Flock, a group photo sharing app. Neither app reached a large audience, as other technologies stole the spotlight, but Lieb assured users both apps would continue to work as they always have. In an email, a Google spokesperson told us “The Bump team has demonstrated a strong ability to quickly build and develop products that users love, and we think they’ll be a great fit at Google.”